Schar ‘nose’ what it takes to earn place

FABIAN Schar says he is prepared to battle on through the pain barrier to stay in Newcastle United’s starting XI.

The Swiss centre-back played on with a broken nose after clashing heads with team-mate in Salomon Rondon in the second half against Bournemouth.

Schar was then singled out for praise by Rafa Benitez’s with the bargain £3m signing leaving Benitez with his own selection headache ahead of the next Premier League clash with Burnley in two weeks’ time.

By then, skipper Jamaal Lascelles should be back in contention after a shoulder injury kept him out of Newcastle’s win over the Cherries.

However, Benitez also has Federico Fernandez in fine form at the heart of his back four.

Schar said: “We all know we have to do everything. My nose doesn’t look straight but it’s all about the win. The nose will get better soon.”

Schar had to wait patiently for his chance at United after arriving from Deportivo La Coruna where he was a regular in La Liga.

He said: “Look, I am just happy to help the team in the last two games.

“It’s good to get the minutes now. But the most important thing is the win for the team.

“We will get a bit of a rest then come back for Burnley with a good feeling.”

Schar celebrated the win with his team-mates as if they’d reached a cup final.

But the three points meant so much for Newcastle on a day in which fellow relegation battlers Cardiff City carved out a 2-1 win over Brighton.

Schar said: “It was a brilliant feeling. We wanted the win so badly and the first half was so good from us.

“We made a lot of chances so I was very happy to see us get those three points.”

Newcastle ended the game with a five-man defence as Schar was joined by Ciaran Clark in the middle and another star performer in Fernandez.

The former TSG 1899 Hoffenheim man was not concerned about how Newcastle went on to win the game, saying: “To get the wins in the Premier League, you have to do everything you can.

“We have to fight for 90 minutes for each victory. I am happy the team did such a good job.”